Methodology
How we work
Every engagement runs the same ten phases — from discovery and a paid Technical Assignment through reconstruction, verification, on-site commissioning, and knowledge transfer. Deliverables, acceptance criteria, and legal basis are fixed in writing before any reconstruction begins.
Phase 01 — Discovery Meeting
Discovery Meeting
First confidential conversation. We learn the artifact, the operating constraint, and the question your decision actually depends on — before scoping anything.
What we do
- Run a confidential intake call with the engineer who would own the engagement.
- Document the technical question and the success criterion in writing.
- Surface relevant prior engagements and precedent that affect cost or risk.
What you do
- Share what you can pre-NDA — even a redacted document moves the conversation.
- Nominate a single technical point of contact for the engagement.
Lead on this phaseEngagement LeadAnonymized pre-NDA
Phase 02 — TA Quotation
Technical Assignment Quotation
A fixed-cost quote for drafting a proper Technical Assignment — the document that turns a vague brief into something multiple firms could quote against. Payable up front; the TA itself stays yours, even if you take it elsewhere.
What we do
- Quote the TA-drafting work itself as a fixed-cost line item.
- Define the scope, depth, and timeline of the TA effort in writing.
- Commit that the resulting TA is yours to keep — internal use or external bid.
What you do
- Approve the TA-drafting quote before any analysis begins.
- Confirm whether the TA is for internal use only or for external evaluation.
Lead on this phaseEngagement LeadAnonymized pre-NDAPhase 03 — Project Analysis
Project Analysis
We analyze the artifact, the operating environment, and the constraints well enough to author a defensible Technical Assignment. This is real engineering work — not sales discovery.
What we do
- Inspect the artifact / system / requirement in enough depth to scope it accurately.
- Identify technical risks, dependencies, and unknowns that affect cost and timeline.
- Surface design and process decisions that must be made before reconstruction begins.
What you do
- Provide access to the artifact and any supporting documentation.
- Make subject-matter experts available for clarifying questions.
Lead on this phaseSenior Analysis EngineerAnonymized pre-NDAPhase 04 — TA Development
Technical Assignment Development
We draft the Technical Assignment — full deliverable list, acceptance criteria, stages, milestones, dependencies, and a defensible cost estimate. The TA stands on its own as procurement-grade documentation.
What we do
- Author the full TA: scope, deliverables, acceptance criteria, milestones, dependencies.
- Cost-estimate every stage so the TA supports vendor selection — not just vendor pitching.
- Include the engineering rationale so the document survives review by any third party.
What you do
- Review intermediate drafts at agreed checkpoints.
- Flag anything that conflicts with internal procurement, compliance, or QMS requirements.
Lead on this phaseTA AuthorAnonymized pre-NDAPhase 05 — TA Approval
TA Approval
You take the Technical Assignment, evaluate it, and decide. Approve and we move into execution; take it to other vendors if you want competitive bids; defer if the project shape isn't right yet.
What we do
- Walk through the TA with your team and answer technical and commercial questions.
- Hold execution slots open while you make the decision.
- Revise once based on your feedback — included in the original TA-drafting quote.
What you do
- Internal sign-off across engineering, procurement, and legal as required.
- Decide: execute with us, take the TA to other vendors, or defer.
Lead on this phaseEngagement LeadAnonymized pre-NDA
Phase 06 — Legal Framework
Legal Framework
Mutual NDA, engagement letter, and a written reference to the legal basis we operate under for reverse-engineering work — DMCA §1201(f) interoperability, EU Software Directive Art. 6, and contractual licensing.
What we do
- Execute mutual NDA with PGP-encrypted exchange channel.
- Document the legal basis for the work in the engagement letter.
- Maintain clean-room separation between intake and reconstruction teams when IP cleanliness matters.
What you do
- Counter-sign the NDA and engagement letter.
- Disclose any contractual or jurisdictional constraints we should design against.
17 U.S.C. § 1201(f)
“A person who has lawfully obtained the right to use a copy of a computer program may circumvent a technological measure… for the sole purpose of identifying and analyzing those elements of the program that are necessary to achieve interoperability of an independently created computer program.”
EU 2009/24/EC Art. 6
“The authorization of the rightholder shall not be required where reproduction of the code and translation of its form… are indispensable to obtain the information necessary to achieve the interoperability of an independently created computer program with other programs.”
Clean-Room Methodology
Lead on this phaseLegal & ComplianceAnonymized pre-NDAPhase 07 — Reconstruction
Reconstruction
The engineering itself. We build the artifact specified in the TA — reverse-engineered, adapted, or designed from scratch — to the acceptance criteria the TA defines.
What we do
- Execute the engineering against the TA's stage plan and milestones.
- Hold weekly progress reviews with your nominated technical point of contact.
- Maintain daily lab notes and photo-log every irreversible step.
What you do
- Provide ongoing access for clarifying questions and reference samples.
- Flag any findings that change scope, sensitivity, or downstream integration.
Lead on this phaseReconstruction LeadAnonymized pre-NDAPhase 08 — Verification Process
Verification Process
The deliverable is tested against the TA's acceptance criteria, against the reference artifact where applicable, and against your QMS. Signed attestation issued for regulatory or audit use.
What we do
- Execute the test plan from the TA against the reconstructed deliverable and the original.
- Document any divergences with technical justification.
- Issue a signed attestation suitable for regulatory submission, audit, or QMS sign-off.
What you do
- Witness verification on-site if your QMS requires it.
- Co-sign the attestation per your quality framework.
Lead on this phaseVerification LeadAnonymized pre-NDAPhase 09 — Project Commissioning
Project Commissioning
The deliverable goes live in the customer's environment — production line, lab, vehicle, manufacturing floor. We commission it on-site, run start-up procedures, and verify it operates as specified under real conditions.
What we do
- On-site commissioning: install, configure, calibrate, and run start-up procedures.
- Verify operation against the TA's commissioning criteria in the customer's environment.
- Train the operating team on day-one operation, fault recovery, and routine maintenance.
What you do
- Provide site access, utilities, and operational data needed for commissioning.
- Nominate the operating team that will receive the commissioning training.
Lead on this phaseCommissioning LeadAnonymized pre-NDA
Phase 10 — Knowledge Transfer
Knowledge Transfer
A recorded walkthrough, full handover documentation, and a 30-day support window. Your team owns the deliverable end-to-end after the handover.
What we do
- Walk through every deliverable in-person or remote — recorded for re-use across your team.
- Ship engineering, operating, and maintenance documentation appropriate to the deliverable.
- Hold open office hours for 30 days after handover for follow-on questions.
What you do
- Nominate the engineers who will own the work going forward.
- Surface follow-on questions during the support window — late questions cost less here.
Lead on this phaseHandover LeadAnonymized pre-NDAReady to start? Let's discuss your project.
Confidential intake, written scope letter, and a fixed-cost engagement plan within one week.
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